On 25 June 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the nationwide rollout of the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, aimed at streamlining passport services with cutting-edge technology. The initiative, launched at a virtual event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, introduces e-passports with embedded chips for enhanced security and faster processing.
With ₹1,000 crore of funding, the programme will establish 400 new Passport Seva Kendras and upgrade 600 existing ones by 2029, ensuring services in every district. It integrates India Post for last-mile delivery and uses AI-driven systems, including chatbots and digital verification, to reduce processing times. Jaishankar called it a “game-changer”, noting that the switch to e-passports aligns with global standards.
Since 2014, the number of passports issued annually has more than doubled to 1.5 crore per year. The programme builds on the success of the original Passport Seva system, launched in 2010, which processed over 13 crore passports up to 2025.
Source: The Times of India
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